It’s always hard to know what to expect when you try a new and different restaurant than what you are used to in a certain park.  When I think of Epcot eateries my mind immediately goes to exotic cuisine, culture, and the rest of the beauty wrapped into the World Showcase area.  When my husband suggested Coral Reef after flipping through a guidebook I was immediately off and searching.  We found review after review of fabulous meals and experiences tucked in the only restaurant to be found in Epcot’s The Seas area.

When you enter, relaxing blues and greens make you feel like you are setting foot inside a posh seaside restaurant, and upon being lead to your seat, you realize that you are!  While you eat at Coral Reef you have “live” entertainment in the form of panoramic tank windows that allow you to see into the aquariums found in The Seas.  You can even see divers who are doing one of the diving tours swim by on occasion.  My favorite: the sea turtles! My husbands favorite: The diver I had set up ahead of time who came and held up a special sign that was a message from me to him! Yes, you read that correctly, I was able to call ahead get us a tank-side seat and have a diver hold up a special message just for us.  Currently the Coral Reef has recently stopped doing this, but due to its popularity (especially as an engagement spot) look out for it to come back, possibly for a fee (a fee that would be well worth the fun and tank-side seating, if you ask me).  In the meantime diners can call ahead and have personalized menus created for special occasions!

Ambiance aside what sets Coral Reef apart even more, is the cuisine! This restaurant serves some of the very best seafood that Disney World has to offer with an abundance of different fresh fish options prepared in a plethora of ways.  The menu does change from time to time but the quality is always the same.   The waitstaff here is knowledgeable and offers excellent suggestions for complimentary wine and drinks when placing orders.  And the dessert here is also phenomenal.  The Chocolate Wave is to die for and possibly my favorite dessert on property!

Coral Reef is open for lunch and dinner and is on the Disney Dining Plan currently.  Reservations for dinner book up fast so call when your 180-day window opens up.   All in all, this restaurant captivates and delivers, not just a great meal with excellent food, but a fun experience for all who come here.

Menu:  Lunch Dinner Dessert Kids

Melissa has created Chip & Company’s ‘Guide to Walt Disney World: Restaurant & Snack Options’ posts as well as chronicling her Disney baking (and cooking) exploits In the Kitchen. She also writes original articles about her experiences visiting Walt Disney World and finding Disney magic in her home state of New York. Melissa is a World History teacher and you can find her on tumblr. Oh & you should probably know she believes in fairytales.